Sunday, March 30, 2008

Here's my little do it yourself project. I got this very inexpensive IKEA paper lampshade and I painted fun flowers all over it with gouache paint! Fun, fast, cheap and nobody has one. I might get kids to do one next time. Even if it doesn't work out - I'm out a cleaning job and a few dollars. No big deal for this much fun!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Yes, I'm still thinking about wallpaper designs. Trying to work within two colors (it really makes a difference to the cost of printing). There are still so many possibilities out there. This pattern is all about the 'home', the 'nest' , the place to be comfortable at. I think this wallpaper could make a cave feel cozy. I like the porcupine a lot:)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

It's been an incredibly busy day! Thanks to Print & Pattern that has featured my work yesterday I had a lot of great e-mails to answer and the embroidery kit is keeping me stitching. Time to wind down. Relax. Lean back. I'd like to share with you some fun pillow designs I came accross recently:

(I am very disappointed that Alexander Girard pillows are no longer available on modern seed. If you know where I could find them please let me know:)

Once the birds start singing outside my window, I know spring is officially here! The snow is finally starting to melt away and soon I will store away the winter wardrobe! To celebrate this positive turn of events I've gathered a few neat bird prints from Etsy. Art prints are so affordable on Etsy, there's no excuse for white empty walls:)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

This time I wanted to do something without recognizable objects. Something abstract. Here is what came out. I think that it could make beautiful heavy cotton curtains or upholstery fabric. I'd like to keep the circles large. What do you envision for this pattern?

Being very much into fabric patterns at the moment and having a small army of girls - I couldn't resist sharing these pretty dresses with you (from pink chicken). I don't know what I like most - the gorgeous fabrics used or the beautiful girlie shapes. I like everything about these cuties! The green ducks dress is something else:)

It's been a busy long weekend. I had my hands full with the kids and work and time just flew by me. One thing about the kids - they never stop wanting new toys. This year I've decide to try and not buy any plastic toys and stick to wood and plush of mostly homemade variety. Not only that hand made toys are less toxic, but they also reflect love and unique character of the people that make them. Thankfully, I don't have to do much convincing since the girls love plushies as much as I do. Here are some of our favorite Etsy finds:

Sunday, March 23, 2008

I am still very much into the wallpaper patterns! I don't know if I'll ever get tired of this. I'm trying to limit my palette to two colours and see where that takes me. In this case - it's a party in the garden. It looks like fun, doesn't it?

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Good news! Four of the scrapbook collections that I've designed for Creative Imaginations are now available! So, if scrapbooking is your cup of tea, please, take a sip! I've got something for baby girls, baby boys & summer fun.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Just finished this coloring book page for the art with heart. They are a nonprofit organization that empowers youth who are facing trauma, illness or other crises through therapeutic books and artistic healing programs. I know first hand that art has healing powers!

I don't know what it is this year (maybe it's 5 feet of snow on the ground) it just seems like Easter is coming too early. Last year I didn't organize an egg hunt for the girls and I got into big trouble with them (tears and threats were involved). This year I'm on it! Chocolate - check, eggs - check, prizes - check, fun - check...

This is my easter card for this year. This is what happens to bunnies when they eat too much chocolate!

I'm working right now on an embroidery kit for girls (for Walter Fosters). Here are some of the samples that won't make it into the kit - so I can share them with you. It's fun, but it makes me 'far too extremely busy' to do patterns. So, I'm going to take a little break from making patterns and do some needle work for the rest of this week.

I've been working on a black and white project all day yesterday and was in desperate need to make something colourful. This is just a bunch of organic shapes in fun colours. I think that it would make perfect lampshade paper.

Monday, March 17, 2008

And the search for the "perfect wallpaper" pattern continues! This one I call 'daydream' because I've used free floating thought to create it. I thought of something and I drew it. It's really a doodle. Make your own story - type of - wallpaper. I'm happy with it! (Making the walls fun to stare at one wallpaper at a time!)

Sunday, March 16, 2008

One of my favorite designers is Jenn Ski. I will start my etsy sundays with her. She's got prints, stationery, cards and paintings that would satisfy your mid-century modern itch! I love her colour combinations and simple lines! (I hope some of these designs would become carpets and wallpapers.)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Found these fabulously fun carpets at Rug Company site. These could really change a room from blah to wow! I probably can't afford these, but that doesn't stop me from drooling. I always wanted to design some carpets. I'll have to now!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Here's a delightful flickr find that just had to be shared. How adorable are these shampoo bottles? If I would have ever seen this shampoo I would have purchased one of each... for everyone I know... and then some. Sadly, these are vintage (1970-72), made by Avon (to represent different countries). Also, I find that watch crazy adorable.

It all started with my washing machine breaking down yesterday. I suddenly remembered how my grandma used to embroider her monogram on everything so it wouldn't get lost in the laundry house. I thought - I should do a monogram I could iron on! Yes, I am a little crazy , and so is this pattern, but... it was fun!